Lady Esmerelda Highgate
First
Person Survey for: Lady Esmerelda Highgate
Name Given at Birth: Esmerelda Elena Marcona
Nicknames: "Mitri"
Hometown or where you were born: San Sebastian, Spain
Current Residence: Highgate Manor, near Black Bourton in Oxfordshire.
Age: Older than the hills, & younger than springtime.
Class: Noble, Duchess of Oxford
What do you do, your main function in life/society: Matriarch of the Boleyn gypsy clan, mother of Queen Eleanor, loving wife and devoted mother and grandmother. I see to the care and upkeep of Highgate Manor, shopping, giving direction to the servants, and making all preparations for our extensive entertaining.
Do you know how to swim?: What gypsy doesn’t?
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?: What gypsy hasn’t?
Do you make fun of people?: No, I make fun with them.
Favorite Color: Emerald Green as my name would imply. It is especially appealing when found in gemstones and in the new foliage as it appears in the springtime.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime?: Not by gypsy standards. Perhaps in my youth, there were occasions when I "borrowed" things, but I always intended to return them when I was done with them.
Closest friends/How did you meet?:
 | Lady Beatrice Fleming, now attending Princess Jane. On one of my early trips to France, our vardo was placed in a grove of trees near her father’s estate. I saw her gathering daisies in the meadow and taught her to make a daisy chain for her hair. We spent many delightful hours in nature when we could each escape from our duties for a time. Now, I look forward to seeing her whenever we visit Ingatestone or come to the harvest faire. |
| Queen Eleanor, my eldest daughter, is music, beauty, & brilliance in my life. We are in many ways (but not all) alike. I am so proud that she has revitalized the Tudor line. |
| Martin, as he prefers to call himself, is an adoring, dutiful son. He not only negotiated for Eleanor & Richard, he also cleverly brought Sir William into my life & provided an excellent marriage. As Sir William has no children of his own, on his demise, Martin will continue to provide for my good care at Highgate Manor which will one day be his as my eldest son. Martin will thus one day become part of the landed gentry and move among the nobles in his own right, a goal to which he has long aspired. Did I not say that he was clever. He may yet make suitable matches for his sisters & brothers. |
| Gypsy Rosa Lee—I boosted her passion with a potion & the dance got a little out of hand, starting the fire that killed my first husband & (unfortunately) my son Angelo, who was Martin’s twin brother and Gypsy Rosa Lee’s husband. Though I love her as my own daughter, she has cooled toward me since that event. I would seek her favor again. |
| Katyanna—she keeps track of the family for me & tells me where they are & what they are up to. |
| All of my living children: Martin, Eleanor (Leonora), Katyanna, Hope, Tia, Nadia, Mandra, & the twins, Bella & Rodrigo, are my hope, my love, my life. My grandchildren are my pride & joy—both the royals & the gypsies. |
| Princes Jane—I respect and admire her and would count her among my friends, though she struggles with my gypsy heritage. Perhaps, with time, she will warm to me and take me into her confidence. There is much that I could share with her. |
One Pillow or two: Two lovely goose down pillows, the gift of my daughter, the Queen, plus a tiny one filled with herbs to assure pleasant dreams.
Pets: Grofo, Simmza, Niezi, Lala, Jeta, & (my favorite) Vadonna—all my homing pigeons that help me reach my family wherever they are.
Favorite Type of Music: The drumming of my husband, which kindles my fires.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Training my pigeons, beading my gowns, & spoiling my grandchildren.
Personal Hygiene: I am always fresh!
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My parents are both dead.
If your parents are dead, how did they die?: I suspect my father was a Spanish nobleman, but was never around. My uncles were the men in my life. My mother lived well into her nineties & passed peacefully.
Favorite food: Apple dumplings.
Favorite Holy Day/Why?: Easter—I’m in the spring of my life & love to celebrate the newness.
Favorite Drink: A cup of tea is most refreshing.
What’s your bedtime: Unless there is a gypsy revel on or a reason to party, I am ready to retire early. A massage is a wonderful relaxation in preparation for sleep.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Comfortable shoes. My feet are very tender.
Are you married or single: Married for the second time to the very handsome, very kind, & very very wealthy Sir William Highgate. My first husband, Radu Boleyn, died in a fire.
Do you have a family/who are they?: I claim all gypsies & the royal children, & anyone else who happens to need a mother.
Favorite Entertainment: Jugglers—I’ve been surrounded by them all my life, & didn’t know until we were married that it was a secret skill of my present husband. He can be very entertaining.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Mathematics—my uncle Arno played thinking games with me & introduced me to the wonder of numbers.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Wringing the necks of the chickens. I always felt sorry for them. They would look me in the eye—so pitifully, almost pleading.
Favorite Sport: Knife throwing.
Most Humiliating Moment: It was at Princess Elizabeth’s 16th birthday feast. One of my homing pigeons came in search of me & landed on my plate.
Proudest Moment: The coronation of my daughter as Queen. Who could dream that the daughter of a gypsy could become the queen of England? She was radiant. Not only had she risen to such a level, but the love in her heart for the King, for her children, and now, for all her subjects glowed from her being. Yes, I am a proud mother.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Bess the gypsy bard. She does cause me to laugh with her stories
What do you look for in the opposite sex: One has but to gaze upon my husband to realize the ideal, but he is mine & I’m not sharing.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them; who is your immediate "overlord"?: The King.
How do you feel about that person?: I love & respect him. He treats my daughter like a Queen, & I see to it that he behaves as a proper son-in-law.
Favorite Sport to watch: Kite Flying.
Do you remember your first kiss: Oh yes, the first kiss of youth at the gypsy revel when I was sixteen. Then there was the first flaming kiss of my dear husband--such a lover!
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends?: Though the friends of my early years have now gone to their reward, I have gained many new friends through the years. They are always a joy to see. Many will be at the faire.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot?: Any warm sunny seacoast.
Have you ever been overseas?: Many times—over many seas.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone?: My husband has provided me with lovely stone floors, many of them carpeted..
What is your bed made of?: It is beautifully carved with a down mattress, like sleeping on a cloud.
How many people sleep in your bed?: Just the two of us, unless the grandchildren are visiting.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me
- My arms, my heart & my mind are wide open, always ready to enfold, comfort, & nurture anyone who needs support.
- I have the gift of "gypsy sight" and have been well trained by my mother. Those who believe they can keep secrets from me may be amazed at what I know but choose not to tell.
- I am well known for my potions. I was called to the castle to minister to young King Edward when he was ill, & indeed he did survive. I always carry my potion box with me and am able to bring a smile to many with its power.
- I am fiercely loyal to, & protective of, my family. You don’t want to bring harm to any of them.;
- I am a story teller. If you engage me thus, be prepared to sit a spell, as I tend to go on at length & embellish every detail.
- Traveling is a passion of mine. While I now depend on Bella & Mandra to manage the trade & bring back treasures, I have struck excellent bargains in my day.
- I chaperoned my daughter during her two years of training before her state marriage. I can behave like a lady when I choose to.
- I love the new foods I have discovered in my travels & I have many secret recipes.
- Though I may not recall your name, I will never forget you.
- I am handy with a needle and I appreciate anyone who has fashioned their garb with care, deftness, and precision, no matter what class they may be.